Junkk.com promotes fun, reward-based e-practices, sharing oodles of info in objective, balanced ways. But we do have personal opinions, too! Hence this slightly ‘off of site, top of mind' blog by Junkk Male Peter. Hopefully still more ‘concerned mates’ than 'do this... or else' nannies, with critiques seen as constructive or of a more eyebrow-twitching ‘Oh, really?!' variety. Little that’s green can be viewed only in black and white.

Thursday, February 25, 2010

After tackling the M50/M5/M42, the £8 parking fee and the vast registration queue (even though I had pre-registered) I was not feeling this was working out initially.

It didn't improve much as I walked row upon endless row (it was a pretty big show, so someone was/is doing something right) of stands with shelves bedecked with bottles, cans and caps.

The few times something did catch my eye, the briefly animated suits who awakened from their slumbers soon lost interest when it transpired that I was not likely to place an order then and there.

And it was also depressing that, with a theme of 'innovation', the only evidence of this was that pretty much everyone had written the word on their stands in one way or other, as if saying was as good as doing.

Because I really didn't see much that I would have deemed innovative. At all. Much less is the areas of green.

So I started to wonder just what the heck I was doing there. But, like a miner 49'er panning for that elusive nugget in an exhausted claim, the fates were with me.

The bewildering array of stands had pretty much done for me after just one circuit. I had seen nothing much of interest, and even if I had these guys were not the ones I needed to talk to. Especially the few brands of relevance exhibiting.

The nuggets were those walking about, and nearly anonymously. And it transpired that these guys were lured by fellow brand owners speaking.

Having done it all before myself my Dilbert PowerPoint cartoon is a bit unfair, as you need to get a ton of stuff across and in short order. My personal preference is that the slides are but a memory aide to talk around, but then this has failings when it comes to getting the presentations subsequently.

Lets just say some were good, some were useful, some were fun... and a few, usually from quangocrats, were dire. Frankly I wished I could have cloned myself, as you had to attend to be scanned, and hence be eligible for the follow-up briefing notes. That way I could have followed up on the details later, and concentrated on following up with the person... in person.

Which, swallowing decades of shyness, I took it upon myself to do. Often aided by sticking myself at the front and asking questions. One of my big themes, which I raised as an icebreaker to my mission, was why green was so often seen as a commitment that almost inevitably involved a cost, whereas it could so easily turn a profit if handled well (M&S has today announced its Plan A efforts 'made' £50M, though I could see few... yet... that were really end-benefit driven on behalf of the consumer). But this notion seemed to be appreciated. Engaged with, even.

For once I was not sent away with a flea in my ear. See that slide with the 'No' bubbles outside but the person only hearing 'Yes'? That was the core of the Innocent Head of Packaging talk. Which is what I used, mercilessly, in getting some quality time with him. With luck, after years of trying, a possible opportunity to present and persuade.

Equally Heads of Packaging for ASDA, and even Morrisons (after all my fun and games with them), having bumped into just the right chap and asked just the right question (didn't hurt that he was very pleasant, open and approachable) to make a quick pitch and get that invaluable card and invitation to get in touch.

There may be better ways of getting into the field of view of such folk, and in many ways I wish there were that didn't involve all the palaver of a show, but for now I am damned if I can think of any.

So... tomorrow, this time more for Junkk.com than RE:tie, I am off to London for Ecobuild at Earl's Court, trusty Vac:Sac glaring in pink in contrast to my suit. She worked her magic well again at ECOpack, and if it ain't broke....

Oh, and in the evening it's the Sustain Magazine awards. Shortlisted again. Not too hopeful, but you never know. Wish me luck:)

I've been following this particular story for quite a while - it has always seemed just to good to be true. But, it seems that it has been commercialised successfully already, as this clip from CBS shows (be patient and let it get past the annoying adverts).

The Bloom Box fuel cell still burns fuel - natural gas, bio-gas, synthetic gas etc., and cryptically, the inventor claims it can run off solar (though I cannot see how), but converts it directly to electricity very efficiently without excessive noise or the need for huge power plants.

If (and its a big IF) it can be scaled up to mass production readily, we could see homes producing all their own electricity independent from the national grid in 10 to 15 years time.

It will be interesting to see just if, how, and when, this innovative technology gets into the domestic market.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Just stuck the boys on the coach, again to Germany, but this time for an exchange visit.

I hope their German improves. Signs aren't good. Last weekend I called their respective hosts and stumbled through my 'O' level best in greeting. In both cases there was a pause, followed by a polite 'Would it be easier for you if we spoke in English?'.

Anyhoo. They are gone for the week. So the missus and I are too. First romantic getaway in 14 years.

But also a time for us to reflect on stuff, especially where are are, and going.

I am a chunk to be on the future Junkk.com. And RE:tie.

There are a few more awards pending, plus some irons in fires.But profile doesn't pay the rent.

I think some more tweaks on what folk 'get' when the land at Junkk.com are required, especially with all that such as twitter can lead to.

But at it's core it will be unchanged, and I am not sure it needs to..

Well, I share your bias, obviously. And your enthusiasms, too.And if the growing Junkk.com archive is to be a guide, many others do too, especially when it comes to the potential of margarine tubs.One might wish imaginations might run wilder, mind, from those sparking ideas to those building them in for second use.I am also amazed how coy many who have got a great story to tell, and share, are.For instance, on that nice, big red, Celebrations container I bought my kids for Xmas is tucked away that it can be reused in the microwave or freezer.How cool (or hot) is that! Yet, as far as I am aware, merely popped on a label at the side.No effort to coordinate those in the community who may have one and not need it with one who doesn’t and has a use.Oh, hang on…

Friday, February 05, 2010

At long last we had our much postponed handover of the winning prize donated following the reuse competition.

The bench arrived by the skin of its teeth, and we duly set it up in the Market Square.

Then, at one stage we had press but no worthies, and then worthies but no press.

Anyway, one way or another we ended up with a bunch of shots of a bunch of folk and with luck this happy end to an epic competition will see a fair bit of PR, one hopes enough that the generous kids who made the donation will think it worthwhile and know how much it is appreciated.

With me are Stephen and Ian from sponsors BRP, flanked by Councillor Cutter from Hereford and Mayor Edwards of Ross.

Addendum:

After a chance conversation with a charming reporter from the Hereford Times, I have been forwarded the piece they carried, which I managed to miss:

Youngsters gift to town

A NEW bench made fromthousands of plastic bottleshas been donated to thepeople of Ross.It comes after localteenagers won a nationalnewspaper competition inassociation with Junkk.com,a re-use ideas website.Entries were invited tosuggest ways that plasticitems, usually thrown away,might be diverted toproductive second uses."It turns out that a group ofteenagers had jointly comeup with the idea, and justsubmitted it for fun," saidsite owner Peter Martin."They frankly had no easyuse for such a thing, andasked if they could donate itto the community, to show,paraphrasing their words'that not all kids are all takeand no give, and we do careabout where we live'."The seat was handed over tocouncillors in a ceremony inMarket Square.

What lies above...

This blog getting ever more extensive as I add stuff and Blogger adds features. This Nav Bar is worth a scroll down. It has a full search list of topics covered. And is... growing. Please pop across to Junkk.com (link below) too as I need the visitor numbers until I can figure out how to combine those here with the site. It is equally fun and informative, but most new stuff is currently here as it is easier to add.

Note that for any post with 'CATEGORY - [topic], it will be evolving, with (for now), most recent post last (at end), indicated by 'NEW'.

Note: My social and ad commentaries were going beyond this blog's remit, so if you are minded, may I commend (with content cautions) 'El Burro Hotay' and 'Bordello Ivory Tales', respectively, to further pursue these aspects of life, the universe and... well, stuff.